Will Young was voted Pop Idol winner by the public

Although Popstars was popular there was a lack of interactivity for viewers.

Three judges, including Nigel Lythgo, whittled down the thousands of contestants to those they thought may be able to cut it in the pop world.

The finalists then underwent a rigorous selection process until the judges picked the final five members which went on to form the winning band.

Replacement

Hear'Say were the band to come out of the show and were an immediate hit, clocking up their first number one within weeks of winning the show.

But they have been unable to sustain this popularity and their last album, Everybody, was considered a flop and Kym Marsh quit following a string of rows with other members.

A replacement was brought in in the form of Johnny Shentall but a UK was tour was postponed because of the changes the band was undergoing.

The Pop Idol phenomenon would appear to have overtaken Popstars, with winner Young and runner-up Gareth Gates scoring number one hits.

The 10 finalists have also released an album of big band music.